The Top 10 Stories of August 16, 2012

Quote of the day. "Brewer has once again put Arizona's name on the map as the epicenter of anti-immigrant racism and hate. However, like we have continuously showed throughout her time as governor, the community will stand united against Brewer's latest assault." - Carlos Garcia, director of the grassroots community group Puente in Phoenix, commenting on Gov. Jan Brewer’s executive order barring immigrants who qualify for temporary legal status from receiving any state or local public benefits, including driver's licenses. (Reuters)

1. Family Research Council guard shot by gunman in D.C.An armed intruder, spouting opposition to social conservatism, walked into the Washington headquarters of the Family Research Council on Wednesday and shot a security guard before the wounded guard and others wrestled him to the floor and subdued him until police arrived, authorities said. (Washington Post)

2. Immigrants line up by thousands for deportation deferrals. Tens of thousands of young immigrants waited excitedly in lines as long as a mile and thronged to information sessions across the country on Wednesday, the first day that a federal immigration agency began accepting applications for deportation deferrals that include permits to work legally. (New York Times)

3. Judge backs Pennsylvania voter ID law. A Pennsylvania judge Wednesday allowed a Republican-backed law requiring voters to show IDs to go into effect starting this Election Day, a setback for Democrats and civil rights groups who contend that such laws could deny many Americans the right to vote. (Washington Post)

4. Degenerative brain disease threatens Afghan war vets. Almost a quarter million American troops diagnosed with traumatic brain injury are at risk of developing a degenerative disease that causes bursts of anger and depression and can lead to memory loss, difficulty walking and speaking, paranoia and suicide, according to military researchers. (Huffington Post)

5. Seven American troops die in Afghan helicopter crash. A Black Hawk helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan killed 11 people on Thursday morning, including seven American troops and four Afghans, the NATO military coalition said. The Taliban claimed their fighters shot down the aircraft. (Associated Press)

6. Dozens killed in Syria air raid on rebel town. Air attacks by the Syrian government have killed at least 30 people, including children, in the rebel-controlled town of Azaz, about 45km north of Aleppo, according to opposition activists. (Al Jazeera)

7. Europe lets Hezbollah operate openly despite alarm by U.S. As American officials sound the alarm over what they call a resurgent threat from the Shiite militant group Hezbollah, thousands of its members and supporters operate with few restrictions in Europe, raising money that is funneled to the group’s leadership in Lebanon. (New York Times)

8. Several killed in Pakistan airbase raid. At least nine men, armed with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons, have stormed an air force base in Kamra, northwest of the Pakistani capital, killing five soldiers, security officials say. (Al Jazeera)

9. Most Israelis oppose attack on Iran nuclear facilities. Some 61 per cent of those questioned oppose an Israeli strike, compared to 27 per cent in favor, the poll by the Israel Democracy Institute and Tel Aviv University's Evens Program in Mediation and Conflict Resolution found. (Haaretz)

10. Brazilian court halts work on dam A federal court in Brazil has ordered the immediate suspension of work on the huge Belo Monte hydro-electric dam in the Amazon. The court says local indigenous people have not been properly consulted. (BBC)

Like what you're reading? Get Sojourners E-Mail updates!

Sojourners Comment Community Covenant

I will express myself with civility, courtesy, and respect for every member of the Sojourners online community, especially toward those with whom I disagree, even if I feel disrespected by them. (Romans 12:17-21)

I will express my disagreements with other community members' ideas without insulting, mocking, or slandering them personally. (Matthew 5:22)

I will not exaggerate others' beliefs nor make unfounded prejudicial assumptions based on labels, categories, or stereotypes. I will always extend the benefit of the doubt. (Ephesians 4:29)

I will hold others accountable by clicking "report" on comments that violate these principles, based not on what ideas are expressed but on how they're expressed. (2 Thessalonians 3:13-15)

I understand that comments reported as abusive are reviewed by Sojourners staff and are subject to removal. Repeat offenders will be blocked from making further comments. (Proverbs 18:7)